FAQ

FAQ

General Information

What is hand-dyed yarn?
Hand-dyed yarn is created by applying dye to yarn manually in a variety of ways, resulting in unique, artistic skeins. Each batch has intricate color variations and subtle transitions that are impossible to replicate with mass production. Even within a batch there will be differences and variations. This means every skein is one-of-a-kind and adds a personal touch to your projects.


What types of yarn bases do you offer?
We offer a large selection of yarn bases to suit all your crafting needs:

  • Merino Wool
    • Feel: Very soft and smooth, with a slight elasticity; perfect for next-to-skin wear.

  Alpaca

  • Feel: Luxuriously soft and silky, often warmer and heavier than wool. Minimal elasticity, drapes beautifully.


  Mohair

  • Feel: Silky, fluffy, and slightly shiny. Often used in blends to add softness and halo.


  Cashmere

  • Feel: Extremely soft and plush, with a delicate, light feel. Ideal for luxurious garments.


  Silk

  • Feel: Smooth, cool, and lustrous with a fluid drape. Often blended to enhance softness and shine.


  Yak

  • Feel: Soft and warm, similar to cashmere but denser. Excellent for lightweight yet warm garments.


 Camel

  • Feel: Silky and fine with excellent warmth. Often blended for softness.

We also offer as many weights as possible to match any and every project you can dream up!

Check out our Yarn Base Page for fiber content, yardage, ply information and weight.


0 - Lace (Cobweb, Thread)

  • Gauge: 8+ stitches per inch (32+ stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 000–1 (1.5–2.25 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Delicate lace shawls
    • Doilies
    • Fine lacework
    • Lightweight accessories

1 - Super Fine (Fingering, Sock, Baby)

  • Gauge: 7–8 stitches per inch (27–32 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 1–3 (2.25–3.25 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Socks
    • Baby garments
    • Lightweight sweaters
    • Lacy scarves and shawls

2 - Fine (Sport, Baby)

  • Gauge: 6–6.5 stitches per inch (24–27 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 3–5 (3.25–3.75 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Lightweight sweaters
    • Baby items
    • Hats
    • Shawls

3 - Light (DK, Light Worsted)

  • Gauge: 5.5–6 stitches per inch (22–24 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 5–7 (3.75–4.5 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Medium-weight garments (sweaters, cardigans)
    • Lightweight blankets
    • Accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves

4 - Medium (Worsted, Afghan, Aran)

  • Gauge: 4–5 stitches per inch (16–20 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 7–9 (4.5–5.5 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Sweaters
    • Blankets
    • Hats, scarves, mittens
    • Home décor items like pillows and rugs

5 - Bulky (Chunky, Craft, Rug)

  • Gauge: 3–3.75 stitches per inch (12–15 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 9–11 (5.5–8 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Chunky sweaters and cardigans
    • Heavy blankets
    • Cozy scarves and cowls
    • Oversized accessories

6 - Super Bulky

  • Gauge: 2–2.75 stitches per inch (7–11 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 11–17 (8–12.75 mm)
  • Projects:
    • Extra warm blankets
    • Quick-to-make hats and scarves
    • Oversized home décor
    • Thick rugs

7 - Jumbo

  • Gauge: 0.5–1.5 stitches per inch (4–6 stitches per 4 inches)
  • Needle/Hook Size: US 17+ (12.75 mm and larger)
  • Projects:
    • Extreme knit blankets
    • Giant poufs and rugs
    • Statement accessories


WE OFFER FREE WINDING!

If you would like us to wind your yarn into a cake, just add a note in the message box at checkout. 10 skein maximum please. Large orders requesting winding may add extra time onto the shipping window.


Why Yarn Skeins Need to Be Caked

Yarn is often sold in skeins, which are long, looped bundles of yarn that are twisted for easy storage and display. While beautiful, skeins are not ideal for direct use in knitting or crocheting. Before you start your project, the yarn needs to be wound into a "cake" or ball. A yarn cake is a neatly wound cylinder of yarn with a flat top and bottom, allowing you to pull the yarn easily from the center or outside without tangling.

Caking your yarn offers several benefits:

  • Prevents Tangling: Skeins can unravel and tangle if used as-is. Caking organizes the yarn into a manageable form.
  • Easier to Work With: Cakes allow you to smoothly pull yarn from the center, which keeps your workspace neat and steady.
  • Helps Identify Issues: Winding your yarn into a cake reveals knots, weak spots, or other inconsistencies that might disrupt your project.


Tools for Winding Yarn

To cake yarn, you'll need:

  1. Swift: A swift is a wooden or metal tool that holds the skein in place and spins freely while you wind the yarn. This keeps the yarn untangled as it unwinds.
  2. Ball Winder: This is a small, crank-operated tool that winds the yarn into a uniform cake.

While these tools make the process faster and more efficient, you can also wind yarn into a ball by hand if needed.


Methods for Winding Yarn

Using a Swift and Ball Winder:

  1. Set up the swift on a sturdy surface and open it to hold your skein securely.
  2. Attach the loose end of the yarn to the ball winder’s spindle.
  3. Turn the ball winder’s crank to begin winding the yarn. The swift will rotate as the yarn unwinds.
  4. Once complete, remove the yarn cake from the winder.

By Hand:

  1. Place the skein over the back of a chair or ask someone to hold it.
  2. Find the loose end of the yarn and start winding it into a ball by wrapping the yarn around your fingers a few times.
  3. Slide the loop off your fingers and continue winding in different directions, shaping it into a ball.

Both methods work well, but a swift and ball winder save time, especially for larger skeins or frequent caking.


 

Why does my yarn look different from the photos?
Each skein is dyed by hand, meaning slight variations in color are normal and part of the charm of hand-dyed yarn. Lighting and screen settings may also affect how colors appear. When working on a larger project, we recommend purchasing enough yarn so they are all from the same batch and alternating skeins for consistent results.

  • Different batches are sold separately in the ready to ship section so if you see two listings of the same yarn, it means they are from different batches and possibly have different shades or saturation levels. Most can be used together without issue but be aware that 


Yarn Care and Usage

Hand-dyed yarn deserves a little extra care and although most people machine wash superwash merino without any issues, I always recommend hand washing your handmade items to preserve preserve the shape and color for the longest time. 

  • Washing: Hand wash gently in cold water with wool wash or a mild detergent.
  • Drying: Gently press between two towels to remove excess water and lay flat to dry, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
  • Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, avoiding prolonged exposure to light to preserve colors.

Does your yarn bleed?
While we use high-quality dyes and set them carefully, some highly saturated colors may release minor amounts of dye during the first wash. To minimize this:

  • Use cold water.
  • Gently hand wash each color separately for the first time.
  • Rinse until the water runs clear.


Shipping and Returns

  • Shipping is free on orders over $150.00 with the code FREESHIP150 - this code can sometimes be used with other codes and sales. 
  • You can return items within 3 days of delivery as long as the original skein ties are intact and you have not balled/caked the skein or requested us to do it. We will not refund or exchange balled/caked yarn.


When will my order ship?
Ready-to-ship items typically ship within 1–3 business days. Made-to-order items from the Complete Colorway Collection have a 1-3 week shipping window because they are made on the base you chose after you order and are not in stock items. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as your order ships. 


What happens if my order gets lost or damaged in transit?
Please contact us within 7 days of delivery if there’s an issue with your order. We’ll help resolve it by working with your post office to find it.


Custom Orders and Requests

Do you take custom color requests?
Yes, we take custom orders during the slower months (Jan- July) but not during the holiday rush ( Aug- Dec) Send us your inspiration photos and we’ll work to create something special. Unless you want specific colorways of ours used together we will need photos of your ideas since everyone has a different idea of “dark blue”. Custom orders typically take at least 3 weeks but we do not charge extra for customs. Contact us to get started.


Can I order yarn in sweater quantities?
Absolutely! We can dye sweater quantities to ensure consistency across skeins. Please note that larger orders may require additional time to complete.


We are based in We have two online stores only, this one and an Etsy shop. We do not have a brick and mortar store. 


Stay Connected

How can I stay updated on new releases?
Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for shop updates, exclusive offers, and sneak peeks at upcoming colorways.